A Creb3-Like Transcription Factor Coordinates ER Function upon Food Intake to Regulate Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

Ingestion of nutrients elicits essential physiological responses, including absorption, digestion, cessation of feeding and nutrient storage. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is central to this nutritional homeostasis, since it regulates intracellular organelle function, drives intercellular communication and promotes metabolite distribution. We identified the Drosophila Creb3L-family transcription factor, CrebA, as the key metabolic regulator of ER function, thereby affecting lipid metabolism and feeding behavior. In response to feeding, CrebA activity is rapidly and transiently activated. CrebA directly drives the expression of the ER protein sorting machinery. We demonstrate that CrebA levels regulate lipid metabolism through lipoprotein secretion into the hemolymph and suppress feeding behavior. Further, CrebA mouse homologs are also upregulated in the liver following feeding and drive the transcriptional activation of ER protein sorting machinery genes in mammals. Our results reveal an evolutionarily conserved transcription switch which is turned on in response to food ingestion and orchestrates a negative feedback loop that promotes satiety by regulating ER function and protein secretion.